directive
gb/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/ us/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
B2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
official instruction or order
An official order from someone in power that tells people what they must do.
Usage pattern:
a directive from [authority] to [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse “directive” with “direction.” “Directions” are step-by-step instructions (for example, how to go somewhere or how to use a machine). A “directive” is usually a single formal order from an authority. Also, learners sometimes say *“do a directive”* instead of *“issue a directive”* or *“follow a directive.”*
Synonyms
order (More general and slightly more common in everyday speech; can be less formal than “directive”.)
|
instruction (Focuses more on explaining what to do; may sound less strict or legal than “directive”.)
|
mandate (Emphasizes authority and obligation, often used in legal or political contexts.)
Antonyms
suggestion (Implies advice with no obligation, the opposite of a binding directive.)
|
recommendation (Something advised but not required, unlike an enforceable directive.)
Collocations
issue a directive
|follow a directive
|government directive
|court directive
|company directive
|legally binding directive
Themes
law
|business
|government
|politics
Examples
- The health ministry issued a new directive requiring all hospitals to report infection rates monthly.
- Under the court’s directive, the company must pay compensation to all affected customers.
- Employees are expected to follow any safety directive given by their supervisor.
- The school board released a directive banning the use of mobile phones during class.
Learner examples
- The manager gave a directive to close the office early.
- Workers must follow the safety directive at all times.
- The government sent a directive to all schools.
- The company issued a directive to work from home.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
document about future medical care
A legal paper that says what medical care a person wants or does not want in the future if they cannot speak or choose at that time.
Usage pattern:
an advance directive about [treatment or care]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use of “directive” is just any order, but here it almost always refers to a formal legal document about future medical care, often in the phrase “advance directive.”
Synonyms
living will (Common term in everyday language; a type of advance directive focused on end-of-life treatment.)
Antonyms
no directive (Refers to the absence of any formal written instructions about future medical care.)
Collocations
advance directive
|medical directive
|end-of-life directive
|sign a directive
|honor the directive
Themes
health
|law
|daily_life
Examples
- She completed an advance directive to make sure her family knows her wishes about life support.
- Hospital staff must check whether a patient has a medical directive before starting certain treatments.
- His directive clearly states that he does not want to be kept alive on a ventilator indefinitely.
Learner examples
- My grandmother signed a medical directive at the hospital.
- The doctor asked if I have an advance directive.
- This directive tells the hospital what care he wants at the end of his life.
Noun
C1
entity
3
general guiding instruction or aim
A general rule or goal from leaders that shows what people should try to do, but does not explain every step.
Usage pattern:
a broad directive to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes expect a “directive” to include detailed steps. In this sense, it is often only a broad goal or rule, and the details are decided later by managers or teams.
Synonyms
guideline (Emphasizes advice and general direction; often sounds slightly less strict than “directive.”)
|
policy (Stresses a standing rule or approach rather than a single instruction.)
|
framework (Highlights the structure for decisions, not a specific instruction, but overlaps in strategic contexts.)
Antonyms
detail (A small, specific piece of information, as opposed to a broad guiding directive.)
Collocations
broad directive
|strategic directive
|policy directive
|overall directive
|organizational directive
Themes
business
|politics
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The CEO set a clear directive to focus on renewable energy projects over the next five years.
- Under the new policy directive, departments are expected to reduce travel costs by ten percent.
- The team’s work is shaped by a strategic directive to improve customer satisfaction.
Learner examples
- The company has a directive to grow in Asian markets.
- Our boss gave a broad directive to cut costs this year.
- The government’s main directive is to protect the environment.
adjective
C1
property
4
giving clear instructions or control
Describes a way of leading, teaching, or helping where one person clearly tells others what to do and guides their actions.
Usage pattern:
a directive [style / approach / leader / role]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “directive” (adjective) with “direct” (adjective). A “direct” person speaks in a clear, honest way, while a “directive” person or style focuses on giving instructions and controlling actions.
Synonyms
authoritative (Suggests confident control and clear expectations; may sound more positive or neutral depending on context.)
|
controlling (Carries a more negative tone, implying too much control, whereas “directive” can be neutral or professional.)
|
prescriptive (Focuses on telling people exactly what they should do or how they should do it, similar in formal tone.)
Antonyms
non-directive (Technical opposite, especially in therapy or counseling, where the professional does not lead or tell the client what to do.)
|
hands-off (Describes a style with very little guidance or control, the opposite of a directive style.)
Collocations
directive leadership
|directive style
|directive approach
|highly directive
|directive parenting
|directive therapy
Themes
business
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her leadership style is very directive; she gives the team clear tasks and deadlines every week.
- The counselor decided to use a more directive approach, offering specific advice rather than just listening.
- In early childhood education, some teachers prefer a directive role, while others allow children to explore more freely.
Learner examples
- He is a very directive manager and tells everyone what to do.
- The coach used a directive style and gave clear instructions to each player.
- Some students like a directive teacher who explains every step.
Grammar
Dictionary form
directive
IPA
GB/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
US/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
Syllables & stress
dir - ect - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ect)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: directive
Noun
- Base: directive
- Plural: directives
Word family
Expressions
advance directive
1/ədvˈæns dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
written wishes for future treatment
A legal document that says what medical care a person wants or does not want in the future if they cannot speak or decide for themselves.
Examples
- The hospital gave her forms to create an advance directive before her surgery.
- Having an advance directive can help families make difficult medical decisions more easily.
EU directive
1/ˈi jˈu dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
European Union legal instruction
A kind of law from the European Union that tells member countries what goals they must meet but lets them decide how to meet them.
Examples
- The new EU directive on data privacy affects companies all over Europe.
- Member states have two years to bring their national laws in line with the EU directive.
follow a directive
1/fˈɑloʊ ə dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
obey an official instruction
To do what an official order or instruction tells you to do.
Examples
- All staff must follow the directive on data protection without exception.
- The soldiers were punished because they failed to follow a direct directive from their commander.
in accordance with a directive
1/ˈɪn əkˈɔɹdəns wˈɪθ ə dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
in obedience to an official order
Done in a way that follows an official order or rule.
Examples
- The documents were destroyed in accordance with a directive from the security committee.
- All changes must be made in accordance with the directive issued by the central bank.
issue a directive
1/ˈɪʃu ə dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
formally give an official order
To officially give an order or instruction, usually from a government, court, or company leader.
Examples
- The minister plans to issue a directive banning single-use plastics in government offices.
- The company issued a directive requiring all employees to change their passwords every three months.